Okinawa Photo
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44)
Tue 2006/09/19 20:52
What better way to start your work/schooling week than with a bunch of photos of the beach?
Many moons ago, the islands at the end of the Southern tip of Japan known as the RyuKyu Kindgom were not part of Japan. In 1609 the Japanese Satsuma clan invaded the islands presumably because they wanted a bit of the lovely emerald water. in 1879 following the Meiji restoration, Japan decided that they wanted to keep the RyuKyu kingdom for their own and from then on it became known as Okinawa prefecture.
At the end of World War II in 1945, Okinawa was under the administration of the United States - I think they wanted some of that emerald water too. During this time, the US established a few military bases to the delight of the locals. Infact, the locals were so delighted (another word for "rather miffed") that they've been complaining for years about the bases. The US eventually responded by saying that they would relocate a particular base but that Japan would have to pay for the expenses - I cant remember the amount but it was enough to buy a small moon.
Okinawa was handed back over to Japan on May 1972.
Many moons ago, the islands at the end of the Southern tip of Japan known as the RyuKyu Kindgom were not part of Japan. In 1609 the Japanese Satsuma clan invaded the islands presumably because they wanted a bit of the lovely emerald water. in 1879 following the Meiji restoration, Japan decided that they wanted to keep the RyuKyu kingdom for their own and from then on it became known as Okinawa prefecture.
At the end of World War II in 1945, Okinawa was under the administration of the United States - I think they wanted some of that emerald water too. During this time, the US established a few military bases to the delight of the locals. Infact, the locals were so delighted (another word for "rather miffed") that they've been complaining for years about the bases. The US eventually responded by saying that they would relocate a particular base but that Japan would have to pay for the expenses - I cant remember the amount but it was enough to buy a small moon.
Okinawa was handed back over to Japan on May 1972.
Because we didnt book way in advance (we booked two days before we decided to go), the tickets and hotel cost an arm and a leg. Do book well in advance if you decide to go. If you want cheap tickets though, you may want to risk going in Typhoon September season where ticket prices take a steep dive. You could end up staying in yer hotel or may end up swimming in this...
Woke up at 5AM, left at 6 and got to Haneda airport within an hour - before we knew it we were in Okinawa. While we were still in Japan, it felt like we were somewhere else. It kind of reminded me of Penang in Malaysia - the architecture, temperature, colors, typefaces used in signs, vegetation etc.
These few pics were taken near Manza beach - cant remember the name of this one though. Our schedule for the 3 days that we spent at Okinawa was drive > discover gorgeous beach > dive in > end up tired and sunburnt > rest > drive >discover gorgeous beach >...
This was an unmanaged beach meaning no showers or nets - some beaches such as Emerald beach have nets to keep you safe from creatures such as giant pirates-of-carribean-type octopus and smaller less harmful creatures such as jelly fish. You will encounter signs as you enter beaches of the "get stung by this fish and you will die within 60 seconds - avoid" type.
We went at the end of August and while it did rain a bit, the clouds would soon give way to blue skys and scorching sun.
Rented a Toyota Passo and while the car was dirt cheap (about 9,000 yen for three days) the car performed like a pile of steaming cack. It has to be worst car I have driven - my fart has more power than this car. Terrible and avoid.
Another beach that was asking us to jump in.
Emerald beach gets its name from the color of the water I guess as the water was truly so. Theres showers and nets here all for free. Manza beach was not free and cost something like 4,000 yen for parking and admittance.
Anti Tsunami things. What are these called?!
It was the first time I tried Shikuwasa (I have no idea what its called in English but its シークワサー in Japanese) which could be found all over Okinawa - it kind of tastes like a cross between orange and lime. I was addicted after a few sips and have been trying to get hold of it in Tokyo - cant find it anywhere so will order online.
Manza beach - nice facilities but rather pricey to use.
Went to have a look down town in Naha which is the city where the airport is. These are...I'm not sure what they are actually but they look like lions or a cross between a dragon or something. They can be found everywhere.
Maybe its because Naha looked just like any other town but it was quite boring. Or maybe it was because we just spend an amazing 3 days at the beach and was going back to Tokyo...
If I had to compare it with a location in Tokyo I would call it something like "half of Shimokitazawa shopping district" ?
If I had to compare it with a location in Tokyo I would call it something like "half of Shimokitazawa shopping district" ?
They do have interesting characters down town like this Tetsujin. Slightly too heavy to take back to Tokyo.
And dont forget to pick up something nice for your boss like this - can you guess what it is? If I was to receive this from one of my staff - I would probably give them their notice ^^;
We identified this street as down town but there was probably much more to it...
Seperate question. Traffic to my site took a plummet since Sunday and this seems to be consistent with what some of the other bloggers bloggers are telling me about their site. Any other bloggers out there experience the same? Traffic for the weekends usually dip and come back up at the beginning of the week but Monday was pretty low too.
Seperate question. Traffic to my site took a plummet since Sunday and this seems to be consistent with what some of the other bloggers bloggers are telling me about their site. Any other bloggers out there experience the same? Traffic for the weekends usually dip and come back up at the beginning of the week but Monday was pretty low too.
In Okinawa right now - the tropical part of Japan down in the south. Spent most of the ...(more)
Sat 08/26 12:01 comments (21)
Lam in London
wow thats beautiful, i want to go there, its looks much better than brighton beach. I guess everyone want some of emerald water = anwyway thats all i can think of. About the poll a blog would be nice hehe
(ID #39522) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Chopper Dave in Medford, Oregon
Very nice pictures as always Danny! The lighting on some of them is just breathtaking. In regards to the poll, lately when I try to click on an option IE freezes and I get that lame option to send an error report or dont send. Anywho, I wouldnt want a blog, because I really don't do anything interesting around here :P
(ID #39523) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Leo in san Francisco
Nice pictures, too bad I subburn instead of tan. I give up what was thing that you "gave" your boss? A giant fungus? Didn't you buy a Toyota Passo?
(ID #39524) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Red October in California, U.S.A.
Where are the girl pictures?
(ID #39525) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Probably needed the money to build a deathstar. ^^ btw what is that thing you're holding, the one your supposedly giving your boss? although they look like something else, are those intestines?
(ID #39526) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
猫子猫 in 北の国
こんちは、ダニーさん！引きこもりみたいなおいらでさえ、連休はネット環境の無い旅行をしたんで、健全な日本人は出かけまくりですよ。何処に行っても人、人、人！ ところで、ハワイ、グアムは行った事があるんだけど、沖縄が無いんです。沖縄の方が綺麗そうだし、グアムはのんびりにはいいけど、遊ぶところが無いとおもいますた。シロアリはいっぱいいたけどね。
(ID #39527) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Steven in USA State of California
nice water i love the beach
(ID #39528) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
joho in Toronto
that thing your holding looks like an animals uterus to me
(ID #39530) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
NickC in SFU, Vancouver
Wow the beaches of Okinawa are really prestine. Is the water really clear and clean?
(ID #39531) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
ダニーさん、ありがとうござます！ I felt so relaxed all day. I need to take my fiancee to Okinawa soon. Those pictures made my day! I especially like the underexposure. You are a brave soul pointing that CCD at the afternoon sun. ^_- Very nice work with your camera. I've really started to like that EFS 10-22mm lens; Much better than the stock EFS 18-55mm I'm using. シクワーサー… I always have trouble with English words in Katakana. None the less, it does sound like a good combination. Please let us know if you find somewhere to get it. It looks like reproductive organ or intestine.
(ID #39532) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Stephen Caceres in Lemoore, CA
Wow!!! Okinawa is very beautiful! Very excited to be in Okinawa; actually, this is my next duty station til next year.
(ID #39533) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Julien in Paris, France
Very nice pictures Danny, thanx ! It's a real pleasure to see the beach and the sun on my computer at work because today in Paris the weather is really bad ! ^^
(ID #39535) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
mikes in hong kong
wow, okinawa beaches are so beautiful. the water is so clear... and there are so few people there wtF! all the beaches around hongkong are so shitty and murky water, and its got twice as many people as those pretty pretty japan beaches. damn im so envious of you, get to goto sucha nice beach.. IWANNAGOTOOKINAWA!!!!
(ID #39536) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Subaruhess in Portsmouth, Uk
I call those concrete things Toblonies ^^. Because they look like giant toblerone chocos. You must have gone through bucket loads of sunblock. But your pictures are as beautiful as always (one of the reasons I view your blog). I dread to think what that thing you were holding was, could lose my lunch I just savoured ^^;.
(ID #39538) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
GundamZZ in office cubicle
hey danny, awesome pictures! all those blue sky/clear waters are making me dont feel like working... can you post some of those pics in full resolution so i can use them as wallpaper? (in particular that pic of the sea without any ppl in it) thnx in advance! ^_^
(ID #39539) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
bob-san in Wisconsin
Lovely pictures Danny. Really beautiful scenery. And here I sit under cloudy skies in nice cold weather. :(
(ID #39540) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
ごっど
シークワーサージュース、アキバで売ってたような・・・。 でも、神奈川にも沖縄商店街ありますよ。僕も昔、ウコン茶と買いに行った記憶が。鶴見だったかなぁ
(ID #39541) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Negativezero in BX NY
OMG, I will be you one day. Best picture is the lone person on the beach by moonlight. Excellent!
(ID #39542) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Sean Wilson in San Francisco/ Tokyo
The Dragon / Lion figures you saw are called "Shisa". They are to protect you from evil spirits etc. Sometimes you can find similar creatures in Japan (which somehow made their way from Okinawa to the mainland). The Japanese ones are called "Kumainu" , you can find them guarding the gates of "Jinja" or Shinto shrines. The weather reminded you of Malaysia, which is interesting, because others say the Okinawans physically resemble Malaysians, having similar facial features, hair etc. They have a rich history of trading with Indonesia, Thailand and of course China. I do love Okinawa...
(ID #39543) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
morihubon in 徳島
こんにちは。沖縄の写真すっごい綺麗ですね！ 実際はもっとすばらしいのでしょう。 今年は卒業旅行に沖縄に行きたいと思っていたのですが、結局行ってない。 この写真見て、やっぱり行きたくなりました。
(ID #39544) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Reflection in Australia
I spent four months in Okinawa in 2000. What a lovely place! Got quite a few typhoons, though! O_O
(ID #39545) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Danny /ダニー in 東京
Reflection, I'd lurve to spend four months there! morihubonさん、 きれいすぎました（笑）。ぜひ行ってください！ それから毎年行くと決めました。来年は石垣島に行ってみたい。 Sean, Thanks for the info! Lets talk more when we catch up. ごっどさん、 アキバにシークワーサージュース？！ 聖地直行！ GundamZZ, Promise to upload it when the wallpaper tool goes live - soon (I hope!) NickC, Yep - water was really clear. 猫子猫さん、 カキコありがとうございます。何となく訪問者数は普通レベルに戻っているような。 沖縄のホテルにもアリがアリました。 ごめんなさい。外人は親父ギャグが好きのようです。^^; Red October, Taking pics of girls at DVD events is another thing but taking pics of girls on the beach would have landed me in jail (probably) Leo, Nope - got a Nissan March. All, That thing I was holding is actually a pigs head - the skill and brains/eyes etc taken out and the top of the pigs head vacuum packed. This seems to be a delicacy in Okinawa.
(ID #39546) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Jay in NY
The nissan march was the car my friend was driving when she drove me around. It was ok but yeah no power lol. And those lion thingies are Shisha dogs, one of them has mouth open to suck in spirits and the other has mouth closed to keep spirits i think. I saw the statues in shurijo castle and gyokusan village. I miss okinawa!!
(ID #39551) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Wildarmsheero in Spaaaaace
Wow, Okinawa looks nice. I'd like to go there one of these days. As far as traffic goes: I don't run a blog, but I've witnessed the same thing with my site. Traffic usually dips noticeably on the weekends. My guess is that most people do stuff on the weekends, and spend less time on the computer.
(ID #39560) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Alex in the U.S.
What the hell is that thing in the vacuum-sealed bag? It looks like an animal's organ. Anyway, those beaches look really nice. It must be hard going back to work after a vacation like that...but you'll be a better man because of it.
(ID #39569) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Robin in Las Vegas, USA
That thing in the air tight bag looks like a pig's head.. or just the skin part of the pigs head.. am I right?
(ID #39572) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
Ken Cheong in KL, Malaysia
Okinawa sure looks like a wonderful place and the pictures you took are great. I'm please to hear that you visited Penang. Hope you liked it.
(ID #39573) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:23
This.. wow. And people always said that the beauty of the scenery in mangas are exaggerated.
(ID #44689) Posted on 2007/02/23 03:03
Tim Mason in 普天間基地＠沖縄
Nice to meet you, Danny. I actually live on one of those bases in Okinawa (Futenma, the airbase which is supposedly moving to Guam in the distant future, and possibly to Okinawa's Nago City in the near future). This is quite a beautiful island, so I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a sub-tropical getaway. The lion things, as mentioned before, are called シーサー, and are guardians found in almost every home, store, or public place in Okinawa. The one with the open mouth is the male, who scares evil spirits away, while the one with the closed mouth is the female, who holds in the good spirits. Also, my girlfriend tells me that シークワサー is a citrus fruit (related to lemons and limes) found here on Okinawa. Another drink they sell here which you will have a hard time finding in mainland Japan is さんぴん茶, or Jasmine tea, which like many other things in Okinawa comes from China. Anyways, I'm glad you enjoyed your stay here! If you've got any questions, let me know.
(ID #49542) Posted on 2007/06/12 12:30
wao! nice pictures Danny the sun gives an incredible effect 2 the water COOL!!(i'm still trying 2 figure out what's that thing ur holding mmmm.. looks like an uterus XD! hahaha not sure)
(ID #58320) Posted on 2007/10/02 15:51
Anime Forever
Who is that girl on the picture's ? Your girlfriend ? anyway, nice pictures. I love them. cant wait till im done with studies and work in Japan :)
(ID #65130) Posted on 2007/11/27 17:27
Lam in London
wow thats beautiful, i want to go there, its looks much better than brighton beach. I guess everyone want some of emerald water = anwyway thats all i can think of. About the poll a blog would be nice hehe
(ID #81526) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Chopper Dave in Medford, Oregon
Very nice pictures as always Danny! The lighting on some of them is just breathtaking. In regards to the poll, lately when I try to click on an option IE freezes and I get that lame option to send an error report or dont send. Anywho, I wouldnt want a blog, because I really don't do anything interesting around here :P
(ID #81527) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Leo in san Francisco
Nice pictures, too bad I subburn instead of tan. I give up what was thing that you "gave" your boss? A giant fungus? Didn't you buy a Toyota Passo?
(ID #81528) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Red October in California, U.S.A.
Where are the girl pictures?
(ID #81529) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Probably needed the money to build a deathstar. ^^ btw what is that thing you're holding, the one your supposedly giving your boss? although they look like something else, are those intestines?
(ID #81530) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
猫子猫 in 北の国
こんちは、ダニーさん！引きこもりみたいなおいらでさえ、連休はネット環境の無い旅行をしたんで、健全な日本人は出かけまくりですよ。何処に行っても人、人、人！ ところで、ハワイ、グアムは行った事があるんだけど、沖縄が無いんです。沖縄の方が綺麗そうだし、グアムはのんびりにはいいけど、遊ぶところが無いとおもいますた。シロアリはいっぱいいたけどね。
(ID #81531) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Steven in USA State of California
nice water i love the beach
(ID #81532) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
joho in Toronto
that thing your holding looks like an animals uterus to me
(ID #81534) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
NickC in SFU, Vancouver
Wow the beaches of Okinawa are really prestine. Is the water really clear and clean?
(ID #81535) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
ダニーさん、ありがとうござます！ I felt so relaxed all day. I need to take my fiancee to Okinawa soon. Those pictures made my day! I especially like the underexposure. You are a brave soul pointing that CCD at the afternoon sun. ^_- Very nice work with your camera. I've really started to like that EFS 10-22mm lens; Much better than the stock EFS 18-55mm I'm using. シクワーサー… I always have trouble with English words in Katakana. None the less, it does sound like a good combination. Please let us know if you find somewhere to get it. It looks like reproductive organ or intestine.
(ID #81536) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Stephen Caceres in Lemoore, CA
Wow!!! Okinawa is very beautiful! Very excited to be in Okinawa; actually, this is my next duty station til next year.
(ID #81537) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Julien in Paris, France
Very nice pictures Danny, thanx ! It's a real pleasure to see the beach and the sun on my computer at work because today in Paris the weather is really bad ! ^^
(ID #81539) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
mikes in hong kong
wow, okinawa beaches are so beautiful. the water is so clear... and there are so few people there wtF! all the beaches around hongkong are so shitty and murky water, and its got twice as many people as those pretty pretty japan beaches. damn im so envious of you, get to goto sucha nice beach.. IWANNAGOTOOKINAWA!!!!
(ID #81540) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Subaruhess in Portsmouth, Uk
I call those concrete things Toblonies ^^. Because they look like giant toblerone chocos. You must have gone through bucket loads of sunblock. But your pictures are as beautiful as always (one of the reasons I view your blog). I dread to think what that thing you were holding was, could lose my lunch I just savoured ^^;.
(ID #81542) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
GundamZZ in office cubicle
hey danny, awesome pictures! all those blue sky/clear waters are making me dont feel like working... can you post some of those pics in full resolution so i can use them as wallpaper? (in particular that pic of the sea without any ppl in it) thnx in advance! ^_^
(ID #81543) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
bob-san in Wisconsin
Lovely pictures Danny. Really beautiful scenery. And here I sit under cloudy skies in nice cold weather. :(
(ID #81544) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
ごっど
シークワーサージュース、アキバで売ってたような・・・。 でも、神奈川にも沖縄商店街ありますよ。僕も昔、ウコン茶と買いに行った記憶が。鶴見だったかなぁ
(ID #81545) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Negativezero in BX NY
OMG, I will be you one day. Best picture is the lone person on the beach by moonlight. Excellent!
(ID #81546) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Sean Wilson in San Francisco/ Tokyo
The Dragon / Lion figures you saw are called "Shisa". They are to protect you from evil spirits etc. Sometimes you can find similar creatures in Japan (which somehow made their way from Okinawa to the mainland). The Japanese ones are called "Kumainu" , you can find them guarding the gates of "Jinja" or Shinto shrines. The weather reminded you of Malaysia, which is interesting, because others say the Okinawans physically resemble Malaysians, having similar facial features, hair etc. They have a rich history of trading with Indonesia, Thailand and of course China. I do love Okinawa...
(ID #81547) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
morihubon in 徳島
こんにちは。沖縄の写真すっごい綺麗ですね！ 実際はもっとすばらしいのでしょう。 今年は卒業旅行に沖縄に行きたいと思っていたのですが、結局行ってない。 この写真見て、やっぱり行きたくなりました。
(ID #81548) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Reflection in Australia
I spent four months in Okinawa in 2000. What a lovely place! Got quite a few typhoons, though! O_O
(ID #81549) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Danny /ダニー in 東京
Reflection, I'd lurve to spend four months there! morihubonさん、 きれいすぎました（笑）。ぜひ行ってください！ それから毎年行くと決めました。来年は石垣島に行ってみたい。 Sean, Thanks for the info! Lets talk more when we catch up. ごっどさん、 アキバにシークワーサージュース？！ 聖地直行！ GundamZZ, Promise to upload it when the wallpaper tool goes live - soon (I hope!) NickC, Yep - water was really clear. 猫子猫さん、 カキコありがとうございます。何となく訪問者数は普通レベルに戻っているような。 沖縄のホテルにもアリがアリました。 ごめんなさい。外人は親父ギャグが好きのようです。^^; Red October, Taking pics of girls at DVD events is another thing but taking pics of girls on the beach would have landed me in jail (probably) Leo, Nope - got a Nissan March. All, That thing I was holding is actually a pigs head - the skill and brains/eyes etc taken out and the top of the pigs head vacuum packed. This seems to be a delicacy in Okinawa.
(ID #81550) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:12
Secretary
Oh thank god *see my comment below*
(ID #216065) Posted on 2008/06/18 14:58
Jay in NY
The nissan ma